Pennsylvania

AgrAbility PA staff met with farmer Garvin Schaffer to discuss his success with braided funding to secure assistive technology. Garvin worked with Pennsylvania's Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) and received several AT items to help with equipment access and operation. These items greatly increased his independence and safety on the farm. However, it remained a challenge to access his skid steer. Working with AgrAbility PA, Garvin applied for a low-interest loan through the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) for the purchase of a side-entry skid steer. Garvin highly recommends that other farmers try side-entry skid steers if they are having trouble accessing their current equipment. Learn more about Garvin in the next AgrAbility PA print newsletter this winter!

AgrAbility PA thoroughly enjoyed their time at the AgrAbility Virtual State Fair! Thanks to Paul Jones (NAP) for his leadership in coordinating and corralling the various components that made up this collaborative online event! AgrAbility PA saw increased engagement and interaction on Facebook and Twitter on their featured day and in the week that followed. Thank you to all the projects that came together to support this new initiative.

AgrAbility PA held its annual advisory board meeting in early October with more than 20 attendees tuning in via Zoom. The board members were engaged and excited to connect with AgrAbility PA staff on a range of topics. In the weeks that followed, smaller workgroup Zoom sessions occurred between project staff members and board members. It was well worth the time and planning to connect with board members in this way.

Submitted by Kendra Martin